Reaching the Kashmir Valley is about to get far quicker and far easier than before. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari recently revealed that a 4 lane high speed corridor is being built between Katra and Srinagar. At present, he said, travellers need around 6 hours to cover the distance between the two cities. Once the new corridor is ready, the same trip will take only 3 hours, effectively turning a half day journey into a half length one.
A Rs 12,000 Crore Project and the Shortest Route
The entire project is estimated to cost around Rs 12,000 crore. Gadkari claims that once it is finished, this corridor will become the fastest and shortest route leading into the Kashmir Valley. For now, work is underway on preparing the Detailed Project Report, or DPR, for the 125 kilometre corridor. That report will determine the highway's final route, its design, the construction method, the environmental impact and other essential details. Once the DPR is approved, construction work will begin.
Easier Travel and an All Weather Link
According to Gadkari, the high speed corridor between Srinagar and Katra will make movement between the two cities remarkably convenient. It will be the fastest route yet, one that not only makes the trip easier but also sharply cuts the time it takes. He added that once the corridor is complete, travel to the valley will remain smooth in every season, a major relief for the hilly region.
A Boost for the Valley's Economy and Jobs
The impact of this corridor will reach well beyond the journey itself. Gadkari noted that the moment it opens, the Kashmir Valley will see a sharp rise in tourism. Tourism, the hotel business, transport services and the local market will all expand. That will quicken economic activity across the region and give growth a fresh push. The people of the valley who depend entirely on tourism for their income will get the chance to earn more, while new employment opportunities open up and economic activity gains direct support.
20 of 25 Tunnels Done, 70 Kilometres to Be Trimmed
Gadkari said the goal was to bring the travel time between Srinagar, Jammu and Katra down to just 3 hours, and that target has largely been met. A total of 25 tunnels are to be built for this corridor, and 20 of them are already complete. Once all these tunnels are ready, the distance will be reduced by roughly 70 kilometres, making the route both shorter and easier. He also pointed out that the highway will now take only 4 hours instead of 9 hours.
A High Speed Corridor to Ladakh as Well
The government's plans do not stop at Katra and Srinagar. A high speed corridor is also being prepared to connect Srinagar with Ladakh, at a cost of around Rs 18,000 crore. Gadkari said that once the tunnel at Zojila is built, travel along this route will become even easier. That tunnel will improve connectivity between Kargil and Leh. He added that around Rs 2 lakh crore will be spent on road connectivity to make tourism in Jammu and Kashmir smoother and better.
Four Projects Worth Rs 50,000 Crore Already Underway
At the moment, work is in progress on four high speed corridor projects worth Rs 50,000 crore in Jammu and Kashmir. These include the Jammu-Udhampur-Srinagar, Jammu-Chenani-Anantnag, Srinagar-Baramulla-Uri and Jammu-Akhnoor corridors. Once all of them are finished, reaching most parts of the state will become easy. Gadkari says the government's real aim is to deliver better road connectivity to every tourist area in the state.
